Refrigerator construction



R. E. MOORE 2,625,291 REFRIGERATOR CONSTRUCTION 2 SHEETS-SHEET 1 Jan. 13, 1953 Filed Nov. 27, 1950 Jan. 13, 1953 R. E. MOORE 2,625,291

REFRIGERATOR CONSTRUCTION Filed Nov. 27. 1950 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2 In I/n for: fiaberf E .flqor'e Patented Jan. 13, 1953 REFRIGERATOR CONSTRUCTION Robert E. Moore, Whittier, Calif., assigno'r to Amana Refrigeration, Inc., Amana, Iowa, a corporation of Iowa Application November 27, 1950,"Serial'No. 197,786 (Cl. 220-) 3 Claims.

The present invention relates to a refrigerator construction and particularly to breaker strips for use in closing the interior of the walls of a refrigerator cabinet.

As is generally known, the walls of a refrigerator cabinet are made up of an inner liner and an outer case or shell, with insulation therebetween. In the construction of the cabinet, the walls are open for the purpose of inserting the insulation and it is of course necessary to finally close the interior of the walls in the completion of the structure. In the present instance the open portion of the wallslies in a surface surrounding the entrance to the interior of the cabinet.

It is desirable to block off the interior of the walls of the cabinet structure against the passage of water vapor laden air thereto for the purpose of retaining the insulation relatively dry, although it is not necessary or desirable to hermetically seal the insulation. The air surrounding the refrigerator contains water vapor and if too much of the water vapor in this air were permitted to pass into the interior of the wall structure without the possib lity of migrating to the cold surfaces within the food compartment, the

insulation would become ob ectionably moist.

An object of the present invention is the provision of novel breaker stri s employed for the pur ose of finally closing the interior of the walls of the refri erator cabinet. More particularly, an obiect of the invention is the provision of novel construction breaker strips which can be easily inserted in the final step of constructing the refrigerator cabinet and which will remain securely assembled during normal handling, shipping and use of the refrigerator.

Another object is the provision of novel construction breaker stri s and cooperating gaskets or sealing strips which practically seal the interior of the refrigerator walls and form a pleasing and finished appearance in the finally constructed cabinet structure.

With these and other objects in view, my invention consists in the construction, arrangement and combination of the various parts of my device whereby the objects contemplated are attained, as hereinafter more fully set forth, pointed out in the claims and illustrated in the accompanyin drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a horizontal sectional view of a refrigerator cabinet employing the breaker strips and associated construction of the present invention;

Figure 2 is a front elevational view of the upper end of. the cabinet with the door removed;

Figure 3 is an enlarged sectional View taken on line 3-3 of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is an enlarged sectional view taken on line 4-4 of Figure 2;

Figure 5 is an enlarged sectional view taken on line 55 of Figure 2;

Figure 6 is an enlarged sectional View taken on line 66 of Figure 2;

Figure '7 is an enlarged sectional View taken on line "l! of Figure 2;

Figure 8 is an enlarged front elevational view of a corner of the refrigerator cabinet with the breaker strips removed;

Figure 9 is an isometric view of one of the gaskets or sealing strips;

Figure 10 is a side view of the gasket or sealing strip illustrated in Figure 9 showing one of the notches therein;

Figure 11 is a perspective view of a portion of another gasket sealing strip; and

Figure 12 is a perspective view of a corner piece employed for connecting adjoining breaker strips together.

Referring in detail to the drawings, the numeral l2 indicates the refrigerator cabinet as a whole wh ch includes a surrounding wall made up of an inner liner I4, and an outer case or shell l6 with heat insulation I 8 therebetween. The construction of the walls themselves may be conventional. The liner l4 defines an interior food storage space 20 of the cabinet having an opening 22, closed by a door 24. The construction of the door 24 may also be conventional and has an inner' non-metallic liner 26 and an outer case 28 with insulation 39 therebetween. The present illustration shows only a single compartment of the refrigerator, but it will be understood that the breaker strip construction herein described is associated with each compartment of a multiple compartment refrigerator. The liner l4 and outer shell l6 terminate adjacent the entrance 22 to the interior of the cabinet. ,The outer shell I6 extends forwardly of the liner [4 in order to accommodate the characteristic structure of the breaker strips, which will be referred later to in detail.

The outer shell it, as shown in Figure 3, has an inturned flange 32 formed by doubling the material back on itself, as shown at 31. The metal of flange 32 is turned backwardly as shown at 33 and then inwardly at 34 to form another flange. The flange 3 3 is thus parallel with the flange 32 as spaced therefrom a short distance, which in the present instance is on the order of about I". Such dimension: is, of course, only exemplary.

The flanges 32 and 34 with the interconnecting Web form a channel 35 and the channel extends completely around the entrance opening to the interior of the cabinet: 1. e., up one side, across the top, down the opposite side and across the bottom.

A channel shaped member 316 is secured in the inner surface of the first channel 35, the latter channel 36 having a flan e 38 abutting the flange 34 and a web portion 40 fitted against the portion 35 of the first channel. The channel 36 also has another flange 42 which is spaced a short distance from the flan e 32, providing a space 44 therebetween. The flan e 38 may be snot welded or otherwise secured to the flange 34. The channel 36 also continues around the entrance opening to the refrigerator cabinet on the two sides and the top.

The insulation l 8 of the wall may be of any desired physical characteristics but one preferred form is that ty e which is provided in block form and is substantially self-sustaining; 1. e., it does not sa or fall out of place. The insulation is sec rely held in lace by the flange 34 and another flange 46 which is formed by turning outwardly the front marginal ed e of the liner [4. The flan es 34 and 46 thus form abutment means for retaining the insulation in position.

The flan es 34 and 46 are interconnected by heat insulating connectin members 48 which are spaced preferably as indicated in Figure 2; namely, one such structural connecting member 48 may be provided on each of the vertical portions of the wall in the case of each entrance opening of the refrigerator. One end of the member 48 is secured as by screws 50 to the flange 46 and the other end secured as by screws 52 to a tap strip 54. the other end of the latter being secured as by welding to the flan e 34. The member 48 is preferably laminated paper impregnated with phenolic plastic, and possesses sufflcient strength to retain the elements of the wall in pro erly aligned positions.

Reference is made to Figure 8 for an illustration of a detail of construction of the liner Id. The top portion of the liner I 4 has a flan e 56 turned upwardly which abuts the top marginal edge portion of the vertical portion of the liner. These elements are rigidly secured together.

The flanges 46 are provided with retainer strips 58 and 60 (Figure 8). the retainer strips 58 being disposed on the vertical walls and the strips 60 on the horizontal walls. As shown clearly in Figure 3, the retainer strip 58 includes a flange element 62 abutting the flange 46 and secured thereto by the screws 50. The strip also includes portion 54 arcuate in cross section, spaced from the flange 46 and forming a channel 66 therewith. The mouth of the channel is slightly constricted, being of lesser dimension than the channel. As will be noted in Figure 3, the channel opens inwardly. The construction of the retainer strip 60 is similar to the strip 58. In applying the strips 58 and 60 as shown in Figure 8, the strip 50 overlies the upper end of the strip 58 and the latter is spaced downwardly a short distance from the former.

The breaker strips of the present invention are referred to by the numerals 68 and 10, the strips 88 being disposed on the vertical walls and the strips on the horizontal walls. The two strips are essentially the same but are of slightly different shape. The strip 68 as well as the strip 10 is a non-heat conducting material preferably of plastic, and it is preferably formed by an extrusion molding process. The strips are of appropriate lengths to correspond with the length of the respective wall elements of the cabinet. Referring first to the strip 68, it will be seen that the strip in cross section appears roughly as an L having a relatively long leg 12 and a curved portion 14 which is in efiect a relatively short leg. On the inner surface of the long leg 12 is a reinforcing rib 16 and adjacent the outer extremity of the short leg 74 is a rib 13 terminating in a bead which is of greater Width in cross section than the rib. The ribs 16 and 18 and bead 80 do not extend the full length of the breaker strip, but are cut away near the ends of the breaker strip to enter channel 44.

The numeral 82 refers to a gasket 0r sealing strip which is preferably of rubber or rubber product or other material having similar resilient and elastic properties. The sealing strip 82 is C-shaped in cross section being generally in the nature of a tube but with a longitudinal slot 84 on one side. Integral ribs 86 are also provided on the sealing strip adjacent the slot 84. The gasket or sealing strip is fitted over the bead 80 as shown in Figure 3.

Figures 9 and 10 show another form of gasket or sealing strip referred to generally at 88 which is generally of U-shape in cross section having two ribs 90 on one side, i. e., extending laterally outwardly from one of the flanges forming the sealing strip, one rib being adjacent the extended marginal edge of the flange and the other rib being spaced a short distance therefrom. Both of the ribs 96 extend the full length of the gasket. The gasket 88 is fitted over the flange 42 with the ribs 90 positioned in the space 44. The gasket 88 is provided with notches 9| for a purpose to be explained later.

The breaker strip 10 includes along leg 72' and a short leg 14', the two legs being at substantially right angles to each other, and the leg 14' forming a flat surface for adjoining the ends of the adiacent vertical breaker strips 68.

In assembling the breaker strips, the strips H! are first put in place and this is accomplished merely by inserting the extended end of the leg 12 into the space 44 between the flange 32 and the ribs Q0 on the gasket 88. The ribs 30 extend into the close proximity to the flange 32 so that the breaker strip when'inserted flexes the ribs inwardly. The breaker strip can readily be inserted but because of the flexed position of the ribs 99, the latter exert a holding force against the breaker strip and prevent it from being readily removed. At the same time, the rib 18 with the gasket 82 thereon is inserted in the channel 65, which flexes the ribs to the position illustrated in Figure 4. The rib 18 can readily be inserted, but the ribs, because of their flexed position, exert a holding force against the sides of the channel and prevent the rib 18 from being readily removed.

As noted above, the flanges 32 and 42 surround the opening to the interior of the cabinet and the sealing and holding effect is exerted on the entire marginal edge of the breaker strip Ill, that is, at the ends thereof as well as along the top. Figure 7 illustrates that the end portions of the breaker strip are engaged by. the gasket 38. The notches 9! in the gaskets 8B permit the gaskets to be readily bent to form corners or curves for following the contour of the marginal edges of the breaker strips.

' Also as shown in Figure 7, the outermost end portion of the leg 14 is cut away to accommodate 5 t'he fiange 42. The leg 1% .on the breaker strip extends outwardly beyond theretainer .strip 69 and overlies a portion of the insulation of the cabinet wall, and is provided with an opening 92 and a pair of holes 95 adjacent thereto. Reference is made at this point to the corner piece 95 illustrated in Figure 12. This corner piece is angle shape in cross section, and includes a flange 98 curved to conform to the curvature of the breaker strip 58 the terminal end of the curved portion having a hook element I00. The corner pieceals o includes a flange [92 having a cut away portion at HIM. A connecting clip is illustrated at liit Figures 5 and 61 The clip is generally ill-shaped cross section and is adapt'd i r rel h comer piec? tile t. Th flange N32 is fitted on the upper end of the breaker strip 68 with the flange 93 fitted on the outer surface of the breaker strip t8 and the extremity of the curved leg portion 14 of the breaker strip fitted in the hook it. Any preferred form of plastic sealing means is interposed between the end of the breaker stri 68 and the inner surface of the corner piece 98 for the purpose of sealing the two elements against the passage of water vapor.

The breaker strip 63 with the corner piece 96 thus applied thereto is fitted in place in a manner described in connection with the breaker strip Hi, that is, the extended end of the leg 12 is inserted into the space 44 and the rib I8 is inserted into the channel formed by the retainer strip 53. The flange I02 of the corner piece 96 then abuts against the flat undersurface of the leg it of the breaker strip iii, and the terminal end of the flange 98 adjacent the cut-out portion N34 is also inserted into the space M. The clip 19%; includes legs m8 and Hi), the leg H9 being actually a pair of spaced prongs between which is formed a tongue H2. The clip I06 is inserted in the opening 82 with the legs I08 and I IE on opposite sides of the leg portion 14. Upon insertion of the vertical breaker strip 68, the flange Hi2 of the corner piece 96 is inserted inside the leg !63, i. e., between the leg I08 of the clip and the leg portion 14' of the breaker strip E9. The legs Hi8 and Hi are spring biased toward each other and the two prongs making up the leg Hi3 are provided with projections which extend into the holes 9%. The clip I05 thus holds the flange W2 tightly against the leg portion 14' and a plastic sealing material is interposed between the two to prevent the passage of water vapor therebetween.

The construction above referred to is similar at all of the corners, with the exception that in any two adjacent corners, the elements are opposite and symmetrical.

The door 3t may be mounted by any preferred type of hinges and is provided with a sealing gasket I Hi which engages the flange 32 outwardly of the breaker strips, at all points around the cabinet.

It is to be noted that the spaces under the breaker strips in Figures 1, 3, a, 5 and 6 are filled with insulation, but the insulation has not been shown for reasons of clarity.

The breaker strips above described are readily inserted into place and are securely held in place. A good sealing effect is produced because the gaskets 32 and 83 are of proper resiliency and elasticity to reduce the passage of water vapor between them and the breaker strips. In the case of the outermost gasket or sealing strip 88, this strip actually encircles the entire cabinet structure including those points where the breaker strips join. The corner pieces 9.6 have sealing material interposed between themselves and both the vertical and horizontal breaker strips.

The breaker strips above .described produce a pleasing appearance. The surface produced thereby has a finished appearance and appears to be substantially continuous from the outer surface of the outer case without noticeable breaks, the only discontinuance being the slight seams between the elements.

Some changes may be made in the construction and arrangement of the parts of my invention without departing from the real spirit and purpose of my invention, and it is my intention to cover by my claims any modified forms of structure or use of mechanical equivalents which may be reasonably included within their scope.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a refrigerator construction, a cabinet having a wall structure including an outer shell and an inner liner with insulation therebetween, said cabinet having an opening to its interior, said outer shell and inner liner terminating in respective edges surrounding said opening, and a breaker strip extending between said edges, channel means on each of said edges of said shell and liner, each channel means opening in the same dierction, a sealing strip secured in the channel means on said outer shell, a laterally extending projection on said sealing strip, one edge of said breaker strip being inserted between said projection and an element of the outer shell channel, said projection being flexible to afford insertion of one edge of the breaker strip and to bias the breaker strip toward said outer shell channel to retain said one edge in position, a bead formed adjacent the opposite edge of said breaker strip, a resilient sealing strip fitted on said bead, said bead and the sealing strip thereon being inserted into the channel means on said liner, said channel means on said liner having an open side of less dimension than its interior to resiliently retain said bead and the sealing strip in position.

2. In a refrigerator construction, a cabinet having a wall structure including an outer shell and an inner liner with insulation therebetween, said cabinet having an opening to its interior, said outer shell and inner liner having spaced edges surrounding said opening, and a breaker strip connecting said edges, channel means having flanges mounted on each of said edges of said outer shell and inner liner, each of said channel means having its open side facing in the same direction, a U-shaped resilient sealin strip fitted on one of the flanges of the channel means on said outer shell, flexible lips formed on said sealing strip directed toward the other flange of the channel means, one edge of said breaker strip being inserted between said lips and said other flange, said lips affording insertion of said one edge of the breaker strip and biasing the breaker strip toward said outer shell to retain the breaker strip in position, a bead formed on the opposite edge of said breaker strip, a C-shape sealing strip fitted on said bead, said bead and the sealing strip thereon being inserted into the channel on said liner, said channel on said liner having an open side of less dimension than its interior to resiliently retain said bead and opposite edge of the sealin strip in position.

3. In a refrigerator construction, a cabinet having a wall structure including an outer shell and an inner liner with insulation therebetween,

' said cabinet having an opening to its interior,

said outer shell and inner liner terminating in spaced edges surrounding said opening, and a breaker strip connecting said edges, channel means having flanges mounted on each of said edges of said outer shell and liner, each channel means havin an open side, a U-shape resilient sealing strip fitted on one oi the flanges of the channel means on said outer shell, flexible lips formed on said sealing strip directed toward the other flange of the channel means, one edge of said breaker strip being inserted between said lips and said other flange, said lips affordin insertion of said one edge of the breaker strip and biasing said one edge toward said outer shell, a bead formed adjacent the opposite edge of said breaker strip, a G-shape sealing strip fitted on said bead, lips formed adjacent the open side of said C-shape resilient sealing strip, said bead and the sealing strip thereon bein inserted into the channel means on said liner, said channel means on said liner having an open side of less dimension than its interior, whereby said lips spread and engage the channel means adjacent its open side.

ROBERT E. MOORE.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,056,051 Huntington Sept. 29, 1936 2,286,109 Rundell June 9, 1942 2,309,001 Nave et al. Jan. 19, 1943 15 2,368,542 Hall June 30, 1945 2,518,673 Ellsworth Aug. 15, 1950 2,527,932 Iwashita Oct. 31, 1950 FOREIGN PATENTS 20 Number Country Date 107,231 Australia Apr. 19, 1939 

